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Following are videos of the conference prework, descriptions of the sessions, PowerPoint presentations, and additional resources presenters provided.
This session focused on educators knowing the students and families they serve and discussed the importance of educators intentionally creating environments that are genuinely inclusive for families. Coupled with including anecdotes to explain the differences between diversity, inclusion, and equity, attention was given to how schools can intentionally include families as partners in MTSS and RtI and PBIS initiatives.
Dr. Hall increased awareness about personal beliefs and stereotypes pertaining to mental health, offered considerations for empowering families during school reentry following hospitalization or postvention, and highlighted the importance of personal and professional self-care strategies to bolster their own mental health when engaging in this work. The breakout group participants analyzed de-identified case studies with peers and discussed strategies for empowering families during school reentry following a mental health crisis.
Additionally, resources were made available for creating personal and professional self-care practices that are sustainable and promote longevity within their careers.
PowerPoint Presentation: School Reentry and Postvention Following Hospitalization or Suicide
Lyndsay shared updates on on-site visits, the needs assessment survey, and the 2023-2024 Scope of Work. She also offered resources for families including the new Guide to Parents Rights in Special Education and and interactive Secondary Transition Roadmap.
PowerPoint Presentation PDF: Updates from the Ohio Department of Education
This session explored the collaborative work done by Ohio’s Part C and Part B 619 program staff and the Head Start Collaboration Director who worked on updating transition guidance documents and related training. Parent Mentors shared their own experiences working with families and the successes, and challenges, and how best to help families during the transitions. They also shared if and when they were brought into this process.
Jennifer Barnes, Education Program Specialist, and Jody Vice Beall, 619 Coordinator from the Ohio Department of Education navigated through the local, state and federal particulars pertaining to preschool special education rules and regulations. Each stop on the road trip highlighted resources to empower families as they travel the highway of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and make decisions so that their child can succeed in school.
Be4th Crawford described statewide results of Cohort 3 Special Education Family Survey and participants explored the implications of results as they relate to working with schools and families.
District Representatives and Parent Mentors examined actions that can be taken to decrease disparities based on race and disability category and discussion points for future interactions.
Charles A. Barrett, PhD, NCSP, a district-level administrator in Virginia, practiced as a school psychologist for 13 years at the elementary and secondary levels. He serves as an adjunct lecturer at several universities, where he is actively involved in the training and development of future school psychologists. Dr. Barrett was named School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and received the Rookie of the Year Award from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). His past leadership positions within NASP include co-chair of the Social Justice Task Force and African American Subcommittee, chair of the Multicultural Affairs and Social Justice Committees, and Virginia Delegate to the NASP Leadership Assembly. Dr. Barrett serves on the editorial boards of School Psychology Review and School Psychology. He is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter for educators, families, and community organizations.
Jennifer Barnes is an Education Program Specialist at the Ohio Department of Education in the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness. Jennifer coordinates, presents, trains, supports, and monitors compliance with IDEA, Federal, and State law for early childhood preschool special education throughout the state of Ohio. Jennifer has 23 years of early childhood experience that range from classroom teacher, adjunct professor in higher education, education administrator, to her current role with the Department.
Jody Vice Beall is the 619 Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Education, and leads the Preschool Special Education team in the Office for Early Learning and School Readiness. Jody and her team work with stakeholders across Ohio to increase knowledge in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as the State and Local regulations and rules related to preschool special education so that children with disabilities have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs. Jody has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rio Grande, and a Master's in Social Work from The Ohio State University.
Beth Crawford, M.A., serves as a Program Manager at the Center on Education and Training for Employment and brings over 20 years of experience in health and human services. She has a specific focus on collective approaches to achieving outcomes and contributes expertise in project management, community collaborations, data management, and analysis. She holds a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Ohio University. Prior to her current role, Beth served as the director of the Franklin County Family and Children First Council where she developed and implemented several cross-system initiatives as well as a performance based contracting system. Her professional interests are focused on public policy impacting family, youth, and community well-being.
Jamie Hall, Ph.D., graduated from The Ohio State University School Psychology Program in 2019 with her doctorate degree. She is currently a Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at a psychology practice in Dublin, OH and works part-time as a school psychologist in Springfield City School District. She has also lectured at The Ohio State University, teaching graduate courses on interprofessional collaboration and counseling children in the schools. Dr. Hall has presented at national, state, and local conferences on a wide range of topics, including suicide prevention/postvention and mental health. She has spoken about K-12 suicide postvention on talk shows such as All Sides with Ann Fisher. In her free time, Dr. Hall enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors hiking and kayaking.
Cathy Kramer serves as an Early Childhood Consultant for OCALI conducting the Transition from Part C to Part B training for professionals in all 88 counties in Ohio. She has worked in the Early Childhood / Special Education field for over 40 years as a teacher, Early Intervention Specialist (now Developmental Specialist), administrator, and Early Intervention Program Consultant for the State of Ohio. Throughout her career, she has supported many children and families through transition from Early Intervention to Early Childhood Special Education.
The Ohio Parent Mentor Project is funded by The Ohio Department of Education. The Oversight and Professional Development for Ohio Parent Mentors is provided by The Ohio State University’s Center on Education and Training for Employment, a translational research center within the College of Education and Human Ecology.
Center on Education and Training for Employment
1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 247-9982
Email cete-parentmentor@osu.edu
The Ohio Parent Mentor Project is funded by The Ohio Department of Education. The Oversight and Professional Development for Ohio Parent Mentors is provided by The Ohio State University’s Center on Education and Training for Employment, a translational research center within the College of Education and Human Ecology.
Center on Education and Training for Employment
1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 247-9982
Email cete-parentmentor@osu.edu